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(No Model.)

J. P. MANTON. STEERING MEUHANISM FOR FERRY BUATS.

Patented May 12, 1885.

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JOSEPH P. MANTON, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

STEERING MECHANISIVI `FOR FERRY-BOATS.l

' SPECIFICATEGN forming part of LettersPatent No. 317,817, dated May 12, 1885. Application filed January 14:1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH P. MaNToN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steering Mechanism for Ferry-Boats; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in t-he art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which forms a part of this specification.

My invention relates to steering mechanism for ferry-boats or other double-ended vessels provided with two rudders; and it consists, essentially, of a new and novel arrangement of the steering apparatus, whereby the vessel is adapted to be steered from either pilot-house by means of one set of steering-machinery, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

Herctofore in vessels of this class a steeringmachine vfor each rudder has been deemed essential for moving the rudder when actuated by other than manual power.

The object of myinvention is to adapt a single steering apparatus by suitable connections, whereby it is susceptible of being readily connected with or disengaged from the rudders, as desired. To this end I have prepared the annexed drawing, which represents a longitudinal vertical section through a portion of a double-ended vessel or ferry-boat provided with two pilot-houses and two steering wheels and drums,and also further showing a power driving mechanism secured to the lower deck and connected, by means of a shaft having wheels mounted thereon, with the steering-drums of each pilot-house. Said drawing further represents means for controlling and operating the reversing mechanism of the engines; also adapted to be worked from each pilot-house.

The following is a description of my invention and the method of operating the same:

H H in the drawing represent the two pilothouses of an ordinary double-ended vessel, each provided with steering-drums D and steeringwheels D', as common. Upon another or lower deck, w', is located the motive or 4driving power, which in this case is represented by engines E, (one back of the other.) rllhe power exerted by said engines is transmitted to the shaft e, 'andi from the latter, by means of a worm, to the worm-wheel G, which is secured to the shaft s. At or near each end of said shaft are secured wheels d,adapted, by means of the belt or rope d2, totransmit the power of the engines to the wheels d,secured to theshafts ofthe steering-drums D, all as fully shown. I do not limit myself, however, to the location and position ofthe engines or motive power, as shown, as they may be connected at either end of the shaft s, and exterior to the wheels d, or otherwise, without departing from the spirit and intent of my invention. Neither do I limit myself to the use of steam as a motor,

.as hydraulic, gas, or other engines are as readily adapted to be combined herewith.

f represents a pivoted arm orlever adapted to receive a binding or friction wheel, f', and connect with the belt or rope di.

Convenientlylocated within each pilot-h ouse is a hollow standard, A', provided with atrickwheel, A, each of said wheels being adapted, by means of rods, gear-wheels, tbc., to connect with the steering reverse valve, link, or other reversing device which governs and controls the admission of steam to the engines.

R represents the tiller-ropes adapted to connect the drums D and rudder, as common.

rlhe following is the operation: Assuming the steersman to be stationed within the righthand pilot-house, and the corresponding binder-wheel, f, to be in contact with t-he rope d2, (the opposite binder at the same time being disengaged from the other rope and drum.) rIhe operator now manipulates the trick-wheel A, which by means of suitable connections conveys motion to the reversing-valve, link, or other valve-gear of the engine, thereby admittingsteam into the latter, which, by means of gearing, G, die., causes the main shaft s to revolve, the power therefrom being transmitted to the drums D through the medium of the wheels d d and rope cl2, as before described, thus turning the drum in the desired direction. The reverse of the foregoing movements causes the drum to revolve in a contrary direction.

It is obvious that the steering can be effect;

ed from the other orleft-hand pilot-house,when the vessel is to sail in the opposite direction, by means of its wheel A, &c., ltherein, as fully shown.

I prefer to connect thetrick-wheel A so that one turn thereof to port or starboard gives a corresponding turn, port or starboard, to the steering-drums D.

My invention does not preclude the use of compass, indicator for showing the vibration of the rudder, or any other accessory as commonly employed.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isn

1. In a steamboat having two rudders and two steering-drums, the engine E, or other suitable driving motor connecting said drums, by means of the gear G, shaft s, Snc., substantially as described, in combination with the binding or friction wheelsf,each mounted upon a swinging lever, f, and suitable means for operating` the same, whereby said drums are adapted to be connected to or disconnected from the driving mechanism, substantially as herein shown and set forth.

2. In a double-ended vessel or ferry-boat having asteering wheel and drum at each end thereof, the combination therewith of the driving means herein described, consisting of engines E, gearing G, shaft s, carrying said gear, and

two wheels, d', adapted to drive the steeringdrums, substantially as shown and set forth.

3. In a double-ended vessel or ferry-boat having a steering wheel and drum at each end thereof, and means, substantially as shown and described, for operating the same, consisting of the motor E, gearing G, shaft s, wheels d d, &c., the combination therewith of the trickwheels A, suitably :mounted and connected by means of gearing a a2 to the vertical shaft a, which operates a suitable reversing-valve, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a vessel having two pilot-houses, each provided with the steering-wheel D,drum D, wheel d, and trick-wheel A, the combination therewith of engines E, connected by gearing t, the longitudinal shaft s, the latter adapted by means of wheels cl and belts d2 to transmit power from the engine to the steering-drums, a device for frictionally engaging with said belts, a reversing-gear connected by suitable means whereby the steersman in turning the trick-wheel A controls the movement ofthe engines and drums, all constructed to operate as and for the purpose herein shown and set forth.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

` JOS. P. MANTON. Vitnesses:

VALTER B. VINCENT, JAMns D. OHERN. 

